Prayer: O Lord, you who are the fountain of all wisdom and learning…illumine [our] understanding, which of itself is blind, so that it may grasp the teaching that will be given to [us]; please strengthen [our] memory to be able to remember well, dispose [our[ hearts to receive what is taught willingly and with due eagerness, so that the opportunity you present to me may not be lost because of [our] ingratitude.
To do this, please pour out your Holy Spirit on [us], the Spirit of all intelligence, truth, judgment, prudence, and teaching.
Grant that [we] may direct [our] studies to the true purpose, which is to know you in our Lord Jesus Christ, to have full confidence of salvation and life in your grace alone, and to serve you rightly and purely, according to your pleasure.
He [us] merciful Father, by our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
(John Calvin: Writings on Pastoral Piety, pp. 212-213 as quoted in Knowing God and Ourselves, p. 2. The above prayer was edited for this purpose)
Scripture Meditation: 2 Tim. 3:16-17
